Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Despite tight surveillance and security provided by the United Nations, Maoist fighters have escaped with their weapons from a camp where they had been confined.
Seven Maoist guerrillas fled the encampment in Yangsila, Morang District, in eastern Nepal, where they had been confined. In doing so they violated an agreement reached with the United Nations, which called for a two-phase verification of weapons and personnel under UN supervision.
The first phase to count weapons ended four months ago. The second phase was postponed upon request by Maoists to settle internal political matters.
The latest incident comes at a time of tensions and strong differences of opinion between Maoist forces and the United Nations monitoring group. There is a real risk that the two-year transition period established by the Security Council may not be met.
The Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) fought a decade-long war against the Royal army of King Gyanendra in order to set up a Communist republic.
Following the king’s decision to give up direct rule the party accepted a multi-party agreement that required they disarm completely under UN supervision.
